The Los Angeles Lakers needed someone to supply the offense against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night and Austin Reaves was willing to take on the challenge.
He set a new career-high of 51 points, surpassing his previous mark of 45, in the Lakers’ 127-120 victory over the rival Kings. He became the 12th player in Lakers history to record 50-plus points in a single game.
Reaves had the opportunity to lead the offense following the absence of Luka Doncic, who was ruled out in the hours leading up to the game due to a finger sprain and a lower left leg contusion and will miss at least a week.
‘He was fantastic and did a little bit of everything tonight,’ Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters after the game. ‘He was all over the place and scored the basketball at an incredible level. … He lives in the moment and is ready for every moment that comes.’
Reaves filled in the void left behind and nearly produced a triple-double performance and finishing with 11 rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers.
The fifth-year player also had a career-high night from the free-throw line, shooting 21-of-22. He also became the eighth player in franchise history to make 20-plus free throws in a game.
The Lakers players celebrated with Reaves in the moments after the game and in the locker room to acknowledge his big night.
‘It means a lot,’ Reaves said. ‘We play basketball for those moments, and for them to treat me like that is special.’
Lakers vs. Kings highlights
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